Connecting people who care with causes that matter.

We are Lorain County’s hub for charitable giving.

Our Impact
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Generosity That Grows

As our region’s hub for charitable giving for over 45 years, we are honored to manage hundreds of funds established by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to support charities and priorities they care about. We help nonprofit organizations discover grant opportunities to sustain their missions and provide scholarships to help local students reach their educational goals. Join us in building a vibrant, equitable future for Lorain County.

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Our Funds

Our endowed, non-endowed, and pass through funds come in all shapes and sizes.
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Donor Advised Funds

Donor Advised Funds

Donor Advised Funds permit donors to participate in the funding process by suggesting grants to nonprofit organizations. Donors are allowed to support various charitable organizations over time through one initial donation.
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Designated Funds

Designated Funds

Designated Funds support one or more nonprofit organization(s) as chosen by the donor. Designated funds ensure continuous gifts to the fund holder’s favorite charitable organization(s), perpetuating their charitable goals.
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Field of Interest Funds

Field of Interest Funds

Support a broad cause like education, the arts, or youth services, allowing donors to make a lasting impact through targeted grant making.
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Community Responsive Funds

Community Responsive Funds

Community Responsive Funds are unrestricted funds that offer the greatest flexibility in responding to the community’s changing needs and allow the Community Foundation to address issues as they emerge.
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Agency Funds

Agency Funds

Created by an agency or donor to give longevity and financial support to an organization. Once the fund reaches $10,000, a distribution is either given to the organization or reinvested into the endowment. Through this type of fund, nonprofits have a lasting source of income.
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Scholarships

Scholarships

Scholarship Funds help students pursue their academic goals and can be established by companies, organizations, families, or individuals. These may have merit or need-based criteria and can be designated to assist students from a certain school, a designated community, or those entering a specific field of study.
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School Endowments

School Endowments

We’re proud to have established the first school endowment fund in the country. These support students and educators by providing funding for non-traditional educational opportunities such as field trips, arts programs, and scholarships. Community members can donate to a school endowment or create a fund of their own.
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View Upcoming Grant Opportunities!

Our Community Grant Cycles focus on the following areas: Health & Human Services, Education & Youth Development and Arts & Culture and Strengthening Lorain County.

Access the Grants Portal Grant Opportunities

The Latest

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CEO Blog

March 2026 CEO Blog

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”– Dolly Parton March ’26 CEO Blog As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I find myself reflecting on the countless individuals…
Initiatives

VolunteerConnect

Imagination Library Winter ’26 Update

Connect to a Cause Raises $459,026 for Local Nonprofits

Upcoming Events

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Lorain Neighbor Night

05/28/26
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Oberlin Neighbor Night

06/09/26
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Living Your Legacy: A Night of Black Excellence Gala

06/19/26

45 Years of Impact: Building a Legacy for the Next Generation

For over 45 years, we’ve invested more than $100 million in grants and scholarships, fostering communities that are responsive, resilient, and deeply engaged. From Wesleyan Village to Kendal at Oberlin, donors past and present share a common vision: supporting today’s needs while empowering future generations to shape their own legacy.

Community Initiatives

Lorain County Imagination Library

The People’s Project

Neighbor Up Lorain County

Connect to a Cause 2026

Make an Impact on Our Community

Your generous gift will ensure that our funds will have a greater impact on our community forever.

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